Improvement in can-openers



EDWARD M. DEWEY.

Improved Can Opener and Washer Cutter. No. 118,593. Patented Aug. 29,1871.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD M. DEWEY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT I N CAN-OPENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,593, dated August 29, 1871 antcdated August 11, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. DEWEY, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improved Can- Opener and Washer-Gutter; and do hereby declare the following description and accompanying drawing are sufficient to enable any person of ordinary mechanical skill to make and use my said invention or improvement without further invention or experiment.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved can-opener and washer-cutter, which is simple in its construction and cheap in its manufacture, and which obviates the necessity of any spring or thumb-screw to hold the knife in place, and which combines in an improved form an instrument for circular and straight cutting, and also to provide an instrument for cutting circular rings or washers from metals, leather, or other substances. To efi'ect this I construct the bar or iron part of the can-opener and w ashercutter of a smooth square piece, with a round elbow at one end, to which is forged a sharppointed knife. The other end of the bar is i11- serted in a wooden handle. The knife for circu lar cutting is made of a pointed piece of steel, which slides upon the square bar. The side pressure upon the knife and sharpening one edge cause it in cutting to clutch closely the bar upon which it slides, and it is thus held firmly in its place while the cutting is being done. In opening cans the thin pointed knife on the end of the bar is placed in the center of the hole to be cut and then thrust through the can. The handle is then brought down to a right angle with the can, forming a pivot or center of the round elbow, and inserting the sliding knife at the periphery of the hole to be cut. The knife on the end of the bar is for straight cutting, the square end of the bar or the head of the sliding knife being used as a fulcrum. For circular cutting of washers, pieces of leather, cloth, or metals, I drop a sharp round pin through a hole in the end of the bar next to the round elbow, which forms a pivot. For cutting a roimd piece one sliding knife upon the bar is sufficient. For cutting washers two sliding knives are placed upon the bar, the handle being detached for that purpose. By upsetting or slightly enlarging the bar next the handle after the sliding knife is on the sliding knife can be wedged tightly on the bar, and thus used with both hands for straight cutting.

To more fully explain my invention and improvement, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, which represents a side view of the can-opener and washer-cutter.

4 is the bar, upon which is closely but not tightly fitted the sliding knife 3. This knife 3 is ground upon one edge, giving it as it cuts a centrifugal or centripetaltendency, which causes it to clutch closely the bar 4.. The pin 2 is dropped through a round hole in the bar 4, and is used only as a pivot or center for cutting washers or other circles. The round elbow 5 is the pivot or center, around which the hole is cut in opening a can or making any other hole of like character. The sharp knife 1 on the end is used both for making an opening for the elbow 5 and for straight cutting when used as a lever, the square end of the bar or the head of the sliding knife being used for a fulcrum. On the back of this knife 1 is a rasp or file for removing wires from bottles and like purposes. The enlargement of the bar 4 near the handle after the sliding knife is placed upon it allows the knife to be wedged tightly upon the end of the bar 6, and thus the instrument can be used in both hands for straight cutting.

By this construction I form a very simple,

cheap, and easily-manufactured article, without springs or screws, which can be used for several different purposes, viz., opening cans with either a circular or square hole, cutting out circular pieces with one knife or washers with two knives, and removing wires from bottles, &0.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

A combined tool, as described, consisting of the bar at and sliding knife 3, ground only. on one side of the blade, and held in position on the bar by the side pressure in cutting, in combination with the pivot-pin 2 and straight knife 1, all. constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal in the city of San Francisco this 26th day of May, A. D. 1870.

EDWARD M. DEWEY. [L. 3.]

\Vitnesses JAMES M. HAVEN, EGBERT D. HAVEN. 

